Time controlled automatic programming device with adjustable pins on programming drum and adjustable contact array

ABSTRACT

A programming device removably associated with television, radio, or any other similar receiver which may be manually, selectively adjusted to cause the receiver to automatically function to select particular channels at precise times of day or night. The programming device is also provided with an alarm or call component which functions in conjunction with the device to attract the viewer or listener&#39;&#39;s attention to a particular preset channel or program at a given time.

United States Patet n91 Stillbert 51 May 22, 1973 [54] TIME CONTROLLED AUTOMATIC PROGRAMMING DEVICE WITH-1 ADJUSTABLE PINS ON PROGRAMMING DRUM AND ADJUSTABLE CONTACT i" "I [7 Inventor: Lesmenl fir-h b flt lfi W.- State Avenue, Phoenix, Ariz. 85021 [22] Filed: Mar. 28, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 238,886

[52] US. Cl. ..200/38 CA, 200/27 B, 200/153 LB,

307/ 141.8 [51] Int. Cl. "H0111 43/10 [58] Field of Search ..200/27 R, 27 B, 27 BA,

200/27 BB, 38 B, 38 BA, 38 C, 38 CA, 38 D, 38 DA, 153 LB, 38 FB, 38 R, 166 M; 334/17-19, 50, 51; 340/220, 415; 307/141.8

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Juhas ..200/38 BA 3,522,393 7/ 1970 Banathy et al. ..200/38 FB 3,054,992 9/ 1962 Zoglio ..200/27 X 2,045,251 6/1936 Raber ....200/38 CA X 2,942,485 6/ 1960 Misenko ..200/38 CA X 2,692,534 10/1954 Pluess ..200/38 CA X 3,483,344 12/1969 I-Iermle ..200/38 BA X Primary Examiner-J. R. Scott Attorney-Warren F. B. Lindsley [57] ABSTRACT A programming device removably associated with television, radio, or any other similar receiver which may be manually, selectively adjusted to cause the receiver to automatically function to select particular channels at precise times of day or night. The programming device is also provided with an alarm or call component which functions in conjunction with the device to attract the viewer or listeners attention to a particular preset channel or program at a given time.

5 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED MAY 2 2 I975 SHEEI 1 OF 3 PATENTEU 3.735.063

SHEET 3 OF 3 CALL \ CONTACTS CLO-5E0 2 m ONE CHANNEL TIME CONTROLLED AUTOMATIC PROGRAMMING DEVICE WITH ADJUSTABLE PINS ON PROGRAMMING DRUM AND ADJUSTABLE CONTACT ARRAY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to programming devices for television and radio receivers and more particularly to a manually adjustable device for scheduling and automatically setting a television or radio receiver to preselected programs during any one-half portion of a 24 hour period.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed to a programming device and associated apparatus, which may be preset to automatically provide a continuous or intermittent program of television viewing or radio listening during any twenty-four hour period or to repeat the same programs for subsequent twenty-four hour periods, and is capable of being reset at any time to automatically provide different programs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Prior art systems for automatically programming television and radio receivers have been devised, but these systems have been extremely complicated and present great difficulty in setting up or changing a sequence of programs by the average individual. Further, they usually contain a multitude of expensive components which are difficult and costly to assemble.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention a new and improved inexpensive programming device for television and radio receivers is provided which may be readily removed from the receiver, programmed and replaced in the receiver by the average viewer.

The programming device and supporting apparatus of this invention includes a clock-actuated rotatable drum having a plurality of slidable projecting pins which may be positioned to contact and apply pressure to lever arms of a pluralityof electrical switches to open or close said switches in pre-set timed relation. These switches activate or deactivate electrical circuits to particular channels of the receiver precisely at each and every half hour interval. An alarm or call signal alerts the viewer to preselected programs.

The disclosed and claimed programming device is simple and inexpensive to fabricate and install in conjunction with the standard components of any television or radio receiver and is easily programmed for receiving television or radio broadcasts in desired timed sequence.

It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide an improved programming device for radio and television receivers.

Another object of this invention is to provide a removable component of a television or radio receiver which may be selectively adjusted for actuating the program selector of the receiver to provide program selection on a half-hour basis.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved program selecting means for timed operations including indicator lights and audio signals.

A still further object of this invention is to provide new and improved program selector means which are economic to manufacture and easy to operate.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention may be more readily described by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view partly in section of the principle elements of the invention shown in the enclosure of a television or radio cabinet.

FIG. 1a is a front elevational view of the switch block positioning control lever with suitable position indicating indicia as seen from the outside of the cabinet.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view partly in section of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front elevational view illustrating the respective positions of the control levers and knobs, the channel indicating media and the calibrations and indicia on the face of the revolving programmer dial.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the switch block utilized in conjunction with the programming device showing its relative relation to the programmer cylinder and support structure in phantom line.

FIG. 5 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of FIG. 1 showing slidable contact pins in radial relation to each other in the longitudinal slots in the perimeter of the programming drum and their relation to one of the lever arms of the switches.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 66 of FIG. 1 showing a portion of the solenoid actuated shaft with its hooked end in contact with one of the ratchet-like teeth of the drum actuating ratchet wheel and the method of locking the gear wheel to the rear end of the programming drum.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing the programming device and its supporting elements as related to each other in several positions of activity, including the time clock propulsion means, the actuating solenoid, the alarm or buzzer device and its switching means, the tuner of a conventional television or radio receiver, and one circuit configuration which completes the system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more particularly to the drawings by characters of reference, FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 7 disclose a programming device 8 comprising a rotatable programming drum 10, a manually positioned channel selector switch block 11, a conventional manual channel selector device or drum 12, a manually positioned call signal switch block 13, electric time control clock 14, which provides the energy to rotate the programmer drum 10 by means of the electric solenoid 15 through gear or ratchet wheel 16, alarm or call device 17 and suitable manual controls for operating the system.

Since the operating components of a television, radio, or other electronic receiver of this nature are similar in most respects, and since the automatic programming device of this invention is applicable to all such systems with only minor changes, if any, this description is directed to the programming devices application on a conventional television chassis or system without limiting its use thereto.

The rotatable programming drum is preferably fabricated of a lightweight, non-conductive plastic material in a cylindrical shape or form, and is provided at its front or outer end with an enlarged flat circular flange or dial 18. Dial 18 is provided with an integral handle 19. A collar 20 of a smaller diameter is fastened thereto. The inner end of collar 20 is provided with a circumferential slot or groove 21, the purpose of which will be explained later. Extending rearwardly from collar 20 and integral therewith is an elongated cylindrical programming drum portion 22 having a reduced end 23, as shown in FIG. 1. The reduced end 23 is provided with a keyhole-shaped portion 24 at its extreme end which is adapted to be removably received and supported in a similarly shaped recess 24 in the center of ratchet wheel 16, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, which has extending bearing portion 26 and is rotatably supported in bearing 27 of a bracket 28 supported by the receiver cabinet.

The front or outer end of the programming drum 10 is rotatably supported on its collar 20 which extends into a bearing 29 supported in the circular front end portion 30 of a guard member 31. Guard member 31 is secured to the inside face of the cabinet wall 32 by rivets or screws, as shown in FIG. 1.

The drum portion 22 of programming device 8 is provided with exactly forty-eight longitudinal slots or depressions 33 extending longitudinally of the drum and spaced radially around its outer peripheral surface every seven and one half 7%. These depressions are arranged parallel to each other throughout their entire length. As shown in FIG. 5, slots or depressions 33 are widened and curved at their inner ends and each slot is adapted to receive in slidable relation a spring biased contact pressure pin 34. The central bore of each pressure pin contains a compression spring 35 biasing a ball 36 outwardly thereof to engage one of a plurality of spherical depressions 37 which are formed in the bottom surfaces of the longitudinal slots or depressions 33.

The programming drum portion 22 is scored or otherwise marked from its rear end forward to divide the drum into a plurality of equal width areas or rings 38 which surround its periphery. The entire area of every other ring may be colored with a different color to serve as identification media for the several television channels which may be programmed. It should be noted that the spherical depressions 37 mentioned above are located in each slot 33, at the exact center of each colored ring, to assure accurate set up of the desired program.

The rear face of dial 18 of the programming drum 10 is adapted to lie in a vertical plane with slight clearance from the face of the cabinet wall 32 to allow for uninterrupted rotation of the device and to limit its inward movement when being installed after the drum has been programmed. The outer face 39 of dial 18 is provided with suitable calibration marks, indicia and coloring, which divides the dial into two 24-hour periods of day or night, as shown in FIG. 3, and the calibration marks on the outer rim of the dial divide its circumference into 48 one-half hour periods.

Each half hour mark or calibration is in direct radial alignment with each of the 48 longitudinal slots 33 formed in the periphery of drum portion 22, which is also provided with corresponding markings and indicia in alignment with each slot 33 on the outer circumferential surface of the drum, as shown in FIG. 1. The purpose of the visual calibration marks and indicia on the face of the dial which correspond with the conventional markings and indicia on the visual face (not shown) of the time control clock 14 is to aid the television viewer in setting up or scheduling the 24 hour program desired. Together with the visual channel indicator 40, the viewer may verify that his program is scheduled properly. The purpose of the calibration marks and indicia on the outer circumferential surface of the drum is to aid the operator in setting up or scheduling the preferred timed sequence of the desired program when the programming drum 10 has been removed from the cabinet.

The entire programming drum 10 with its integral drum portion 22 carrying the contact pressure pins 34 in their respective positions in slots 33 and the integral dial 18 and handle 19 are adapted to be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction exactly seven and one half 7 r at the end of each and every one-half hour period.

The time control clock 14 may be any conventional electric powered clock which is provided with suitable relays and switches commonly used in appliances to be energized or deactivated at specific times when so adjusted. Clock 14 is further provided with a relay switch 41, which is normally open but set to momentarily close at half hour intervals to cause an electrical current to pass through leads 42 and 43 to actuate solenoid 15, which momentarily moves its shaft 44 in the direction of arrow 45 (FIG. 7) a sufficient distance to cause pawl 46 at the outer end of shaft 44 to contact one of the teeth on ratchet wheel 16 to rotate the ratchet wheel and hence the programming drum 10 and its integral drum portion 22 exactly 7% or one forty-eighth of a complete circle. Thus, drum portion 22 is revolving 7 /2 at the end of each half hour interval, or 48 times during each 24 hour cycle of the clock.

This precise timed action of the above described elements is necessary since most television and radio programs are scheduled at half hour intervals. The contact pressure pins 34 which protrude from slots 33 in drum portion 22 can be arranged in the desired colored areas or rings 38 on the drum so that any particular channel will be activated for half hour intervals, or any multiple of half hour intervals, depending on the placement of the pressure pins 34 in slots 33.

The last or rearmost colored area or ring 47 on the programming drum portion 22 is utilized to shut off the power to the television or radio receiver for given periods of time. The radial space in this area may be utilized to activate an alarm or call signal device 17 when any particular channel is about to be activated, as will be explained.

The several television channels to be activated at precise half hour intervals as preset and scheduled for the 24 hour cycle on drum portion 22 are caused to be activated at the proper time by the contact pressure of one of pins 34 on one of a plurality of upper and lower switch lever arms 48 and 48', respectively. These switch lever arms extend from the channel selector switch block 11 under, over and between the programming drum portion 22 and the manual channel selector drum 12, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 7 of the drawmgs.

The upper switch lever arms 48 are fabricated asindividual strips of slightly flexible conductive metal which are secured in any suitable manner in transverse rabetts formed in the top surface of the nonconductive plastic switch block 49 as shown in FIG. 4. The lower switch lever arms 48 are fabricated of similar conductive metal, but are formed as an integral part of the bus bar 50 which is embedded in the nonconductive plastic switch block 49. The switch lever arms are parallel to each other and are provided where they cross the vertical center line 50' of the rotatable drum portion 22 and channel selector drum 12 with raised cam portions 51, to avoid contact with more than one of the pressure pins 34 or 34' which project radially from the drums. The switch lever arms are also provided with a pair of mating contact points 52 adjacent their outer ends,

thus completing the channel selector switch block assembly 11.

The switch block assembly 11 is required to be manually placed in three vertical positions to perform its several functions, and to this end is provided with an operating bar 53, the greater horizontal portion of which is embedded in the plastic switch block 49. Bar 53 is preferably rectangular in cross section, having reduced front and rear extensions 54 and 55, respectively, which extend through elongated vertical openings in the outer walls of a pair of opposed vertically mounted channel members 56 which are rigidly secured to a suitable horizontal supporting bracket 57 of the cabinet, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and..4.

The sides of the switch block assembly 11 are confined between the legs of the pair of channel members 56 in sliding relation therewith and may be moved vertically up and down on roller bracket members 58 which are mounted on the front and rear bar extensions 54 and 55 with their rollers contacting the outer walls of the channel members. The front roller bracket member 58 is provided with a forward extension 59 which has an integral, flat, upwardly projecting arm 60 adapted to loosely fit into the circumferential groove 21 of collar of programming drum portion 22 to prevent lateral movement of the device when the switch block assembly 11 is in the upper operating position. The front bar extension 54 of the switch operating bar 53 continues to extend forwardly through an elongated opening 61 in the cabinet wall 32 and through a mating opening 61 in the escutcheon plate 62 which is mounted on the outside face of the cabinet wall, where it is provided with a firmly attached operating knob 63 which is utilized to manually raise or lower the switch block assembly 11 when desired.

The front face of cabinet wall 32 or the escutcheon plate 62 is preferably marked with suitable indicia which designate the three vertical positions in which the channel selector switch block assembly 11 may be placed to perform its various functions. For instance, the top position A is indicated by a horizontal line, the letters RS. and the word ON, which signifies that the automatic program selector is in operating position. The intermediate position B is indicated by a line and the word OFF and the abbreviation REM, which signifies that power to the system is off and that the programming device may be removed for resetting. The lowest position C" is indicated by a line, the letters M.S." and the word 0N, which signifies that the switch block 11 is in position for manual operation of the system or that the manual program selector is ON. The channel selector switch block assembly 11 may be readily raised or lowered to any one of these three positions and may temporarily be retained in the selected position by suitable spring pressure detents 64 which are arranged and secured to the inside face of the cabinet wall 32, where they are adapted to contact an aperture or depression 65 in the front extension 54 of the operating bar 53, as especially shown in FIGS. 1 and 1a.

The switch lever arms 66 and 66 are adapted to be contacted by pressure pins 34 in the off area or ring 47 of the drum portion 22. These arms are somewhat different from the switch lever arms 48 and 48' in that the upper arm 66 is preferably rigid and projects a short distance from the nonconductive switch block 49. The lower lever arm 66' is flexible and longer than arm 66, having a raised cam position 67 to which pressure may be applied by one of the pins 34 to open the contact points 68, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 7.

Having thus described the principle components and supporting apparatus of the rotatable programming device 8 in the preceding paragraphs, I refer now especially to FIGS. 2 and 7 for a detailed description of the alarm or call signal device 17 which is adapted to operate in conjunction with the programming device.

The alarm or call device 17 comprises a bell, buzzer, or other suitable signalling apparatus having one of its terminals electrically connected through a conductor 69 to switch block 13 and thence to the main circuit conductor 70. The other terminal of device 17 is connected directly to the other main circuit conductor 71. The call signal switch block 13 is comprised of a nonconductive plastic switch block 72 having upper and lower conductive switch lever arms 73 and 73', respectively, which are securely attached to the plastic switch block 72 and project toward the center line 50 of the drum portion 22 and drum 12. The upper lever arm 73 is preferably rigid and the lower lever arm 73 preferably is flexible and normally tends to' spring upwardly to close the pair of contact points 74 mounted thereon when not subjected to pressure. When pressure is applied to the upwardly bent end portion 75 by any one of the pins 34 in the last ring area or segment of the drum portion 22 or by a stop pin 76, as shown in illustration in FIG. 7, the contact points 74 will be opened.

The call signal switch block assembly 13 is adapted to be moved into OFF and ON positions by manual horizontal sliding movement of a control lever 77 which is attached to the switch block assembly 13. Control lever 77 projects forward through an elongated slot in the cabinet wall and a mating horizontal slot 78 in the escutcheon plate 79 which is attached to the outer face of the cabinet wall 32, as shown in FIG. 3. Plate 79 is provided with suitable indicia indicating OFF and ON positions.

When in the ON position the call signal switch block assembly 13 is placed in position 13a, shown in FIG. 7, so that the upwardly bent end portion 75 can contact either the periphery of drum portion 22 or one of the off pins 34. When in the OFF position the switch block assembly 13 must be placed in position 13b. It should be noted that the switch block assembly 13 must never be moved to the ON position 13a until the channel selector switch block assembly 11 has been lowered to its intermediate B or OFF position to prevent damage to either switch lever arm, as both switches could not occupy the same space at the same time without damage.

Further features and usage of the time controlled automatic programming device of this invention will be evident from the following paragraphs which describe the operation and function of the device.

Operation To remove programming drum 10 from its rotatable position in the television chassis and from the cabinet or enclosure of the receiver, it is first necessary to place the channel selector switch block assembly 11 in the OFF and REMOVE position B indicated in FIGS. 1 and 1a. This procedure lowers the switch block and its attached upward projecting arm 60 from the circumferential slot 21 in collar of drum 10, thereby eliminating any possible interference with its removal from the cabinet structure.

Then, by gripping the exposed handle portion 19, the entire assembly including the plurality of stored pressure pins 34 may be quickly and easily pulled out from the cabinet through the opening in its front wall 32. Removal of programming drum 10 allows a spring biased cam member 80 to slide forward on the surface of the bracket 81, which is attached to the front channel member 56 to prevent accidental raising of the upward projecting arm 60 during removal or reentry of the device.

After the programming drum 10 has been removed from the cabinet, the simple procedure of setting up or scheduling the 24 hour television program is readily accomplished in the following manner. The contact pressure pins 34, which are usually in the last colored ring or off area 47 of the drum portion 22 are slid forward in their respective longitudinal time slots 33 the distance necessary to place each pin in the desired colored ring area 38. These ring areas represent the several television channels which may be included in the scheduled program. This can be easily done by referring to the hour and half hour markings and indicia located adjacent each slot on the periphery of drum portion 22. The pins 34 which are not utilized in setting up the time scheduled program are allowed to remain in the off area 47.

Having set up the scheduled 24 hour television program, the programming drum 10 is then returned to its normal position in the chassis as shown in FIG. 1. This is readily accomplished by holding the device in a horizontal position and inserting it through the circular opening in wall 32 of the enclosure, and pushing it rearwardly until the keyhole-shaped rear end portion 24 of the drum portion 22 contacts the identical shaped recess 25 in the ratchet wheel 16. Drum 10 is then rotated counter-clockwise until the end portion 24 is in alignment with the mating shaped recess 25, at which time it is pushed into recess 25 past a suitable spring detent 16a which is mounted in the key-shaped recess in the ratchet wheel 16 to prevent excessive horizontal movement of the device.

It should be noted that guard member 31 is permanently installed as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to substantially surround drum portion 22, except for a longitudinal opening 31' in its bottom central area and a cut out 31" in its rear supporting end which surrounds its rear reduced end portion. The purpose of this guard member is to prevent damage to any of the drum mechanisms by accidental lowering of the drum portion 22 while being removed from or inserted in its operative position.

After the above described procedure has been accomplished, it only remains necessary to raise and place the channel selector switch block 11 in its uppermost position A to cause the time controlled automatic programming device to deliver the scheduled television programs over a 24 hour period.

It should be noted that power cord and plug 82 remain plugged into a 110 volt A.C. source at all times to keep the time control clock 14 running constantly and to supply electrical current to the other elements of the circuit when they are to be activated upon switch block 11 being raised to position A or lowered to position C. When switch block assembly 11 is in position A one of the preset contact pressure pins 34 placed in the colored channel selection areas or rings 38 in a specific time slot 33 will contact and apply pressure to one of the upper switch lever arms 48 (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7), thereby closing the contact points 52 and activating that particular channel by allowing current to flow through the leads and 71 to the tuning device 83 and other necessary components of the system (not shown). The contact pressure pin 34 will continue to apply pressure and hold the selected channel in activated ON relation for a full half hour period because the programming device is not revolving during this time. At the end of the half hour period, the programming drum 10 is automatically rotated one forty-eighths of a revolution to engage another pin in the next time slot 33 to continue the scheduled program for another half hour period or to change the program by engaging another pin 34, prepositioned to activate another channel by applying pressure to its respective switch lever arm 48.

Should there be an unscheduled period or portion of the program when there are no pins in position to contact the several upper switch arms 48, the rotational activity of the drum would affect only the last ring segment and the last element lever arms 66 and 6'. This action causes the pins 34 to exert pressure on the lower switch lever arm 66' and open the contact points 68 to automatically shut the channel selecting circuit of the system OFF. When in manual or OFF position (B or C, FIG. 1a) the call signal switch block assembly 13 may be placed in position 13a where it may be activated as previously described.

Although but one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A program selector for channel type receivers comprising:

a rotatable drum having a plurality of slots extending longitudinally thereof,

each of said slots being parallelly arranged with the others of said slots, said slots being radially spaced around said drum at predetermined positions corresponding to time coordinates in the direction of drum travel,

the length of said drum being divided into marked areas each representative of a channel of said receiver,

said areas on said drum being arranged on said drum in a direction perpendicular to said time coordinates,

a plurality of pins, one slidably mounted in each of said slots,

means for positioning each of said pins at predetermined positions along its respective slot in one of said areas,

a plurality of conductive contact fingers, one for each channel of the receiver mounted for engaging a pin positioned on said drum in one of said slots and in one of said areas representative of said channel,

said plurality of fingers comprising pairs of conductive fingers, each pair being closed by engagement with one of said pins,

said plurality of conductive contact fingers being spacedly mounted on an insulating bar which is slidably mounted for movement laterally to and from said drum to position said fingers in the path of movement of said pins in said slots,

and a clock driven means for rotating said drum,

said fingers when engaged by pins positioned in a predetermined manner in said slots selecting a particular channel of the receiver at a precise time.

2. The program selector set forth in claim 1 in further combination with:

means for selectively moving said conductive contact fingers into and out of positions for engagement with said pins in said slots of said drum.

3. The program selector set forth in claim 1 wherein said slots are radially spaced around said drum at increments of seven and one half degrees to represent 48 time coordinates.

4. The program selector set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said pins each comprise a hollow housing slidably mounted in different ones of said slots,

each housing being provided with an aperture opening inwardly of the slot within which it is mounted, and

a ball mounted in each housing and spring biased to extend into said opening to provide a means for sliding said housing along said slot and positioning said pins at predetermined positions in said slots.

5. The program selector set forth in claim 1 wherein the areas at one end of said slots identify an alarm area, and an alarm connected to the contact finger positioned to be actuated by lack of a pin in said alarm area for actuating said alarm. 

1. A program selector for channel type receivers comprising: a rotatable drum having a plurality of slots extending longitudinally thereof, each of said slots being parallelly arranged with the others of said slots, said slots being radially spaced around said drum at predetermined positions corresponding to time coordinates in the direction of drum travel, the length of said drum being divided into marked areas each representative of a channel of said receiver, said areas on said drum being arranged on said drum in a direction perpendicular to said time coordinates, a plurality of pins, one slidably mounted in each of said slots, means for positioning each of said pins at predetermined positions along its respective slot in one of said areas, a plurality of conductive contact fingers, one for each channel of the receiver mounted for engaging a pin positioned on said drum in one of said slots and in one of said areas representative of said channel, said plurality of fingers comprising pairs of conductive fingers, each pair being closed by engagement with one of said pins, said plurality of conductive contact fingers being spacedly mounted on an insulating bar which is slidably mounted for movement laterally to and from said drum to position said fingers in the path of movement of said pins in said slots, and a clock driven means for rotating said drum, said fingers when engaged by pins positioned in a predetermined manner in said slots selecting a particular channel of the receiver at a precise time.
 2. The program selector set forth in claim 1 in further combination with: means for selectively moving said conductive contact fingers into and out of positions for engagement with said pins in said slots of said drum.
 3. The program selector set forth in claim 1 wherein said slots are radially spaced around said drum at increments of seven and one half degrees to represent 48 time coordinates.
 4. The program selector set forth in claim 1 wherein: said pins each comprise a hollow housing slidably mounted in different ones of said slots, each housing being provided with an aperture opening inwardly of the slot within which it is mounted, and a ball mounted in each housing and spring biased to extend into said opening to provide a means for sliding said housing along said slot and positioning said pins at predetermined positions in said slots.
 5. The program selector set forth in claim 1 wherein the areas at one end of said slots identify an alarm area, and an alarm connected to the contact finger positioned to be actuated by lack of a pin in said alarm area for actuating said alarm. 